Smeal Urges Women To `Raise Hell`

September 6, 1985|N.Y. Times News Service

WASHINGTON — Eleanor Smeal, president of the National Organization for Women, outlined plans Thursday for a militant new campaign on such issues as abortion, equal pay and the proposed federal equal rights amendment.

Repeatedly urging women to ``raise hell,`` Smeal called for an offensive of demonstrations, lawsuits and political action to counter what she called an effort by ``fascists and bigots`` on the Republican right to roll back gains women and blacks have made in recent decades in the courts and Congress.

Speaking at the National Press Club, Smeal said her organization, which is $1 million in debt and is losing members, would begin a recruiting campaign on campuses and among corporate and professional women.

Smeal was elected president of the organization in July with a pledge to take women ``back to the streets.`` She defeated the incumbent, Judy Goldsmith, who was criticized by some feminists as relying on negotiations instead of confrontation to advance the organization`s agenda.

In her first major speech since taking office, Smeal made it clear Thursday that she intended to steer the group toward political confrontation and into the streets. ``The worst thing we can do right now is try to become acceptable,`` she said.

In a question period, a member of the audience asked Smeal to identify some of the ``fascists`` she had in mind.

``I`ll be glad to,`` she responded, naming Sens. Jesse Helms of North Carolina and Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, both Republicans; the direct-mail fund- raiser Richard Viguerie; and Paul Weyrich of the Committee for the Survival of a Free Congress.